A panel of blood biomarkers unique to sudden cardiac arrest

The identification of circulating biomarkers specific for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) could enhance risk prediction. Of particular interest are biomarkers specific to SCA, independent of coronary artery disease (CAD).

The purpose of this study was to identify biomarkers of SCA obtained close to the SCA event.

Twenty cases (survivors of SCA) and 40 age- and sex-matched controls were compared, with a replication analysis of 29 cases matched to 57 controls. A secondary analysis compared 20 SCA cases to 20 controls with CAD. Blood samples were obtained from SCA survivors at a median of 11 months after the SCA event. Proteins were analyzed on a mass spectrometer using data-independent acquisition; a subset of cytokines were analyzed using immunoassays; and 1153 lipids (13 classes) were analyzed. A false discovery rate P value of <.05 identified associated proteins.

Patients had a mean age of 58 years (range 25-87 years), and 70% were male. A total of 26 protein biomarkers associated with SCA when cases were compared with controls, of which 20 differentiated SCA from CAD. The replication analysis identified 8 of 26 biomarkers, of which 6 were not overlapping with CAD. The top identified biological processes involved the extracellular matrix, coagulation cascades, and platelet activation. Lipids in the lysophosphatidylcholine class were implicated in SCA through the CAD pathway.

We identified a panel of novel blood biomarkers specifically associated with SCA, including several that may be involved outside the CAD pathway. These biomarkers could have mechanistic significance and the potential to enhance clinical prediction of SCA.